Outline

Extensible wiki for your team.

The license is not an approved open-source license. Read it before you rely on the app.

GitHub stars: 40,873
License: BUSL-1.1
Latest release: v1.11.0
12 October 2026
Last commit: 12 October 2026
Runs on: Node.js, Docker

Commits per month, last 12 months

2,122 commits

Replaces

Paid products Outline can stand in for.

GitBookDocumentation and knowledge base platform.ConfluenceAtlassian's team wiki.NotionNotes, docs and wikis in one workspace.

How to self-host Outline

Outline runs on Node.js and Docker. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.

Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.

New to self-hosting? Start with the beginner's guide.

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Guides that cover it

Open-source Notion alternatives you can self-host

Docmost, AppFlowy, AFFiNE, Outline, SiYuan, BookStack and Wiki.js compared, with honest notes on licenses, paid tiers and what each one does well.

Questions

Is Outline free?

Outline's source code is available under BUSL-1.1, which is not an approved open-source license. It may restrict commercial use or redistribution, so read the license before you depend on it.

Can I self-host Outline?

Yes. Outline runs on Node.js and Docker. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.

What does Outline replace?

People use Outline instead of GitBook, Confluence or Notion.

Is Outline still maintained?

The last change to Outline's code was on 12 October 2026, with 2122 commits in the last 12 months.

Topics

App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.